I got it as my daily driven second car. My primary car is a leased 2006 BMW 325ci 5spd. I love it very much! But I'm putting too many miles on it and would like a comfortable smooth Toyota. So I got one.
Ran a car fax, everythings clean.
Couple questions...
1) Sludge. I'm well aware of the 1mz-fe sludge issues. I'm not sure if my engine has sludge but I opened the oil filler cap and notice some really thick residue (guessing it's sludge). I scratch it with my nails and easily can get a finger full. This isn't normal right?
Would anyone recommend sea foam? I've read about it and tempted to try it. I also want to pull the front valve cover but would like it if someone had instructions on doing this.
2) Transmission. Shifts perfectly, extremely smooth--feels new. But I want to maintain this car and "nurse" it back to health. Should I do a fluid change? I have no idea about the maint. history of this vehicle. Fluid seems clean to the smell. No burnt smells.
3) Car drives fine and smooth except there's a drone noise at highway speeds when I depress the accelerator slightly. The noise goes away at full throttle. A quick visual inspection under the car reveals that the OEM exhaust piping is worn and smashed from years of use. If I grab the tail pipe and shake it back and forth, there is some metal to metal contact. Perhaps somethings loose under there?
4) How can you tell if the engine is the original engine and that it hasn't been replaced? Is there some kind of VIN stamping on the block? If so the #s on my block do not match my vin. Haha. Dunno what the #s on my block mean though. I feel the engines been replaced because the wiring harness boot going into the passenger firewall was pulled out (someone forgot to pop it back in) the fuse relay box by the battery was just hanging. Radiator electrical plugs werent fastened to the radiator -- connected but just hanging loose.
Knowing nothing about Toyotas really I would like to know what to watch out for. I'm sure these issues I'm having are just minor things. The car is a joy to drive and is very smooth. I dont thinka nything major is wrong w/ it. I got the car extremely cheap ($4,300) and don't expect a perfect car at all. But I do want to make it perfect! thanks
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